Connie O’Riordan, ceili organizer, dies in New York

At deadline, I received the sad news of the passing of one of the great characters in the Irish set dancing scene around New York – Connie O’Riordan from Co. Cork.

During the set dancing revival days of the 1990s, O’Riordan started a great series of céili out at the Cork Lounge on Greenpoint Avenue, bringing the best of traditional musicians for very spirited nights of music and dance. He was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and spent his final days being comforted in Calvary Hospital in the Bronx.

There will be a one day wake at Martin Gleason Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 15 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., 150 Street between 10th and 11th Avenues in Whitestone, Queens, and a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, January 16 at 9:45 a.m. at the Church of St. Mel in Flushing, 26-15 154th Street.